Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 07, 2006, 12:01:31 AM
Lemme 'splain.
Wii gets. . .
midnight launch with 70-100 units. (I know this sounds ridiculous. . . and it is, but it's been verified numerous times. What happened is that they decided to do the midnight launches in only the bigger stores, 82 to be exact, and leave the other stores with a smaller amount (10-16) for a normal launch. That being said, I'm inclined to believe this means 70. 100 just seems way too optimistic)
Wii gets. . .
An advertisement disc for the whole week heading into launch. What I'm refering to is the image on the television. Every month we get a new DVD that we are to play on our televisions showing movie trailers, music videos, and indeed, game advertisements. We are getting a DVD on the 12th, which we are to put in immediately, that is NOTHING except Wii videos and previews. This disc is to stay in the player untill the end of the 19th.
Wii gets. . .
An electronics department filled with employees wearing Wii t-shirts (we got to order our sizes!) for the week leading into launch (again, 12th - 19th).
Wii gets. . .
Signs in the store entrances advertising the Wii and our midnight launch
In contrast, the PS3 launch will be seeing a normal morning store opening and 6-12 units (more evenly distributed between the stores). . . and a bunch of Wii t-shirt wearing employees standing in front of a Wii sign whilst a Wii advertisement runs in the background.
So. . . I kid you not when I say (and say it with me). . . Fred Meyer loves the Wii.
I thought this was of incredible interest. Has Nintendo buddied up with other retailers to this ridiculous extent? Is that their mad-genius marketing strategy?
(northwesterners feel free to verify all these claims on the 12th (13th might be better, lord knows stuff comes late) if you live near a large Fred Meyer store, it should be a lovely sight)
Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 07, 2006, 12:13:24 AM
Regarding the Wii, it suggested we tell customers that we'll get more in by November 28th and then every subsequent tuesday through the end of the year.
Also, for those interested, the suggested response for the PS3 was that we'll get more in mid-december. "Mid-December" were the exact words.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 07, 2006, 12:24:09 AM
I don't know what a Fred Meyer store is, so I'm gonna guess that its some Canadian store. Do they have Wii ads on T.V. where you are? Is the in-store Wii promotional push date also the same date they start broadcasting Wii ads on T.V.?
Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 07, 2006, 12:30:40 AM
So no. I'm seeing the same TV ads we all are. Occasional Wii logo in a multiplatform game commercial. Southpark's done more for the Wii on television than Nintendo has bothered to yet.
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on November 07, 2006, 01:04:26 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: WalkingTheCow
No no, United States Northwest. Washington, Oregon, Idaho and, indeed, Alaska. I'm in Oregon.
So no. I'm seeing the same TV ads we all are. Occasional Wii logo in a multiplatform game commercial. Southpark's done more for the Wii on television than Nintendo has bothered to yet.
Fred Meyer is the best! Even though their prices are higher than most retail chains like Target or Walmart I prefer shopping there because of the enviroment and the people.
Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 07, 2006, 01:08:50 AM
Post by: ShyGuy on November 07, 2006, 06:10:02 AM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 07, 2006, 06:15:41 AM
Nintendo even had a poll up in their site referencing the SouthPark episode
How bad do you want the Wii?
-Bad?
-Very Bad?
-Worse than Cartman?
Post by: IceCold on November 07, 2006, 09:04:10 AM
Post by: Edfishy on November 07, 2006, 09:30:53 AM
Post by: ShyGuy on November 07, 2006, 09:38:59 AM
Post by: vudu on November 07, 2006, 09:38:59 AM
EDIT: ShyGuy beat me.
Also, the site you linked to takes you to Peapod's website, dumbass.
Post by: Kairon on November 07, 2006, 09:55:36 AM
~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: WuTangTurtle on November 07, 2006, 11:07:29 AM
Post by: Edfishy on November 07, 2006, 03:52:16 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: vudu
Fred Meyer is not the same as Meijer.
I was referring to the other Fred Meijer, chairman of the Meijer stores around Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. I didn't realize WalkingTheCow was speaking about another store chain (I thought it odd that he'd work at the place and not get its name right). Anywho, my mistake, I appologize.
Stinks too, I was kinda hoping Meijer would push the Wii as much as WalkingTheCow was suggesting FredMeyers will.
Quote
Also, the site you linked to takes you to Peapod's website, dumbass.
Whoops, put an extra "s" on the weblink -- Repaired.
Post by: Svevan on November 08, 2006, 03:12:44 PM
If not there, or Circuit City (which is seriously two steps away from my front door) then I have to travel a whole friggin 30 minutes to the nearest open-at-midnight Wal-Mart. The Wal-Marts in my area are all opening in the morning.
Post by: OverHeat on November 08, 2006, 03:37:22 PM
P.S. Wii SHIRTS?!! I r teh jealous.
Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 08, 2006, 09:07:08 PM
Post by: Svevan on November 08, 2006, 09:30:47 PM
Post by: ShyGuy on November 10, 2006, 08:40:48 AM
Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 10, 2006, 08:53:27 PM
Sorry I couldn't find out definitely. I'd just walk in and ask them, they'll know at least. Again, the north location looks the likeliest.
Post by: Svevan on November 11, 2006, 01:42:53 AM
Thanks for all the help Cow! You may have saved me a trip to *ugh* Grants Pass.
Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 16, 2006, 08:58:11 PM
Ok. My store has 74 Wiis, a rather dissapointing DVD playing on the TVs (It's only about 5 mins long and loops, so don't be shocked if your location ditched it. After a few hours it kinda can get to you. Really effective though, I'll see people watch it and then come over to me and ask about availability and pricing), signs in all entrances and all the launch games ready to go.
We were supposed to get 6 PS3s but FedEx managed to lose 4 of them, they just happened to be the 4 60gig units, leaving us with 2 of the 20gigs!!! Ouch! Someone made off like a bandit though. . . er, exactly like a bandit I guess.
We've called around to other locations (Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy) in our town and 6 seems to be a common number for PS3s while Best Buy couldn't seem to say for sure. We seem to have the most Wiis but most stores had around 40-50, so they aren't too far behind.
Oh, yeah, and as you may have noticed the Wii shirts are in full effect.
Post by: vudu on November 17, 2006, 04:42:09 AM
QuoteJeez, I didn't even realize; I thought that was a picture of Fred Savage.
Oh, yeah, and as you may have noticed the Wii shirts are in full effect.
Post by: WalkingTheCow on November 17, 2006, 07:00:05 AM
(I don't look a damn thing like Mr. Savage)
Post by: RickPowers on November 17, 2006, 07:38:02 AM
Oh, and a nifty white Wii hat.
Edit: I can also verify that in addition to Ballard, the Totem Lake (Kirkland) Fred Meyer is also doing a Midnight opening. Supposedly six more stores in Washington, but I can't remember which. Supposedly, Nintendo is putting out a Media Alert today.
Post by: ShyGuy on November 17, 2006, 08:08:49 AM
I talked to them yesterday and they said they have recieved a lot of calls about the Wii Launch. I plan on showing up a few hours early.
